288 BRITISH INDIAN GOVERNMENT. 



formidable contests with Mysore. Lord Cornwallis, therev 

 fore, on opening his grand campaign against Tippoo, re- 

 solved, as the only mode of rendering the resources of the 

 Carnatic available, to insist that during the war it should 

 be placed entirely in his possession ; a liberal provision be- 

 ing made for the chief, to whom, when peace should return, 

 the government was to be restored. That prince made all 

 the resistance in his power ; though he was at length com- 

 pelled to submit. His territories were occupied, but, agree- 

 ably to treaty, given back at the conclusion of the war. 

 This arrangement, however, was found so inconvenient, and 

 the nabob's conduct so little satisfactory, that Marquis 

 Wellesley, before opening his final campaign against Tip- 

 poo in 1799, resolved to press a new negotiation, by which 

 a certain portion of territory should be made over to the 

 company in full and final sovereignty ; in consideration of 

 which the entire occupation formerly stipulated should be 

 dispensed with. The rajah strenuously opposed this pro- 

 posal, and succeeded in delaying its fulfilment till the rapid 

 successes of the British arms had brought the war to a 

 termination. He then maintained that the circumstances 

 had ceased upon which this new demand was founded. 

 There was discovered, however, in the archives of Seringa- 

 patam, a series of letters between this prince and the 

 sovereign of Mysore, in which he applied the most flatter- 

 ing language to Tippoo, while he mentioned with disdain 

 the allied powers ; describing the English as new corners, 

 the nizam as nothing, and the Mahrattas as contemptible. 

 Mr. Mill argues that these were mere empty compliments 

 usual among oriental princes, and to which the nabob was 

 prompted by the vanity of corresponding with so powerful 

 a ruler. But, besides that any intercourse was contrary to 

 express agreement, no friendly interpretation could be put 

 on the terms in which they and their allies were designated. 

 The hostile disposition which these letters manifested was 

 not only in accordance with the general tenor of his con- 

 duct, but arose perhaps necessarily out of his humbled 

 situation. Under these impressions the governor-general 

 directed Lord Clive, the resident, to insist upon carrying 

 Into effect the third arrangement ; by which the prince was 

 required to resign into the hands of the English the entire 

 administration, civil and military, of his dominions, and t» 



